Heading away for summer vacation or planning for a short trip in the near future? Angela Beitz gives you some easy tips to make sure you are looking and feeling absolutely fabulous on your getaway.
Get smooth skin
Shed dry, dead skin cells and leave your body silky smooth and glowing for your trip. Zen the Spa at the Beach Rotana offers amazing body scrubs and wraps which start with an all over exfoliation (which buffs and polishes the skin, leaving it soft and smooth), which is rinsed off in a warm shower and then followed by an application of gels, serums, oils and creams to moisturise, hydrate and nourish.
The two to choose from are the rose hydrating body treatment which includes damask rose, evening primrose oil and neroli, and the enriching body treatment with vanilla, Murumuru butter and ylang-ylang. Once the body is gently enveloped, attention is given to the scalp, face or foot reflexes to complement the specific effects of each treatment giving you a great sense of relaxation. Absolute bliss and highly recommended.
Dhs375 for 60 minutes. Zen the Spa, Beach Rotana Abu Dhabi (02 697 9000).
Try a safe tan
If you live in the sunny city of Abu Dhabi, it’s almost expected that you’ll boast a golden glow all year round. But it’s not healthy to spend too much time basking in the scorching sun, which can lead to premature ageing and skin cancer. Fake tanning has come a long way from the days of uneven, orange results with a not-so-great smell. Spray tanning is a very popular option these days and it’s great to book one in when you have a holiday or an event coming up.
The Beauty Spot Salon offers great spray tanning using Vita Liberata and St Tropez brands, all you need to do is turn up (freshly exfoliated of course from your body scrub) in light loose clothing and be sprayed with the tan. Leave it on overnight and wash it off in the shower the next day. This tan will have you looking sun kissed with a natural glow, ready to hit the beach or pool on your getaway.
Dhs225 for Vita Liberata or Dhs350 for St Tropez. The Beauty Spot Salon, Eastern Mangroves Hotel & Spa (02 656 1149).
Flutter those lashes
Sometimes mascara just isn’t enough and you need to go that extra mile especially if you are going somewhere sunny and will be in and out of the beach or pool. For these occasions lash extensions are becoming increasingly popular.
A full set of extensions will normally use 70-100 pieces of synthetic hair, while a half set uses around 50 pieces. A half set is a better choice for a more natural look and you can choose whether to get the top, bottom or both lids done. Expertly wielding two sets of tweezers, the technician will go about the task of painstakingly gluing each hair between your lashes. It’s not invasive or irritating but it does take two hours, so be prepared for a long time sitting around. They will then go through your lashes with a fine tooth comb and tweezers, separating any that have stuck together with glue, to ensure there are no clumps. They will last about three weeks and you’ll need to go back in to get them removed. Your lashes will look long, thick and gorgeous.
A full set of eyelash extensions costs Dhs600, a half set costs Dhs425. Sisters Beauty Lounge, Khalifah Bin Shakhbout Street, Al Bateen (02 222 2502).
Long lasting mani/pedis
Treat yourself to a manicure and pedicure before you get going on your holiday. Dashing Nails offers Gelish nail polish which is a no-chip gel and promises to last for up to two weeks. This great polish comes in different colours and there is a French option as well. Perfect for avoiding those annoying chips while you are on your travels.
Dashing Nails also offers a great range of other services, such as the popular Ciate range, and much more.
Prices range from Dhs100 to Dhs170 for a manicure or pedicure. Dashing Nails, Delma Street behind Trans AD building (02 441 0333); Khalifa City A next to Silkor (02 553 1775); the Souk Central Market (02 491 5222).
Get groomed
For fellas in need of having knots and tense muscles worked on before your vacation, we recommend you head to Man/Age, one of the city’s few spas for men. The staff are friendly, the décor is stylish yet simple and the treatments are pleasingly varied.
We’d recommend the Balinese massage if you really need to unwind because it’s all about pressure. The treatment goes deep to soothe damaged tissue, revive strained muscles and relieve joint pain. It helps to boost circulation and reduces stress. It’s also great for sports injuries.
Man/Age also do waxing and haircuts should you also need to get yourself looking good before you get away. Balinese Massage, Dhs320 for 60 minutes, Dhs425 for 90 minutes. Man/Age, Marina Mall (02 681 8837).
